PANAMA CITY BEACH — Authorities have arrested and charged a local man who allegedly fought with an officer inside a Waffle House before trying to snatch away his radio, according to arrest records.
Corey Leeser, 34, was arrested Tuesday night at about 9:45 p.m. on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and depriving an officer of means to communicate after an alleged run-in with a Bay County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant at the Waffle House at 7000 Thomas Drive.
Lt. James Vestal responded to the Waffle House to reports of an unwanted guest moments before. When Vestal arrived, he said Leeser was pointing and yelling at employees and patrons inside the store, according to BCSO reports.
Leeser ignored the officer when asked for his name and walked away toward the counter; when the officer asked his name a second time, Leeser again ignored him but appeared agitated, the officer reported.
“At this time, I approached (Leeser) and grabbed him by his left arm and started escorting him out while asking who he was,” Vestal wrote. “As we approached the outer door in the foyer area, he wrapped up my right arm and pinned me against the wall with his back.”
BCSO reported Leeser then began elbowing Vestal in the body and grabbing for his radio. Vestal then attempted a knee spike, “which seemed to not have much effect,” he reported.
“He then started yelling, ‘Is that all you got … Is that all you got,’” Vestal wrote. “At which time he elbowed me in the left side of my face and tried to run out the door.”
Leeser allegedly was able to rip the officer’s shoulder microphone from his main radio before exiting the foyer. Vestal gave chase, his dangling radio becoming caught up in his legs, as Leeser took off through the parking lot and into a nearby neighborhood. Vestal also reported he tried to use his Taser on Leeser as he ran, but he was too far behind, he reported.
Other BCSO officers caught up with Leeser on Beach Drive, just behind the Waffle House, BCSO reported. Leeser, of Panama City, was arrested and taken to the Bay County Jail. His bond was set at $15,000.
